Chapter 619

Although there were some setbacks along the way, the meeting ended smoothly half an hour later.

"Ling Shuang is one thing, but Xu Jingming is just a young prodigy who hasn't fully grown—how dare he scold me?"

After the senior officials left the meeting, only Liu Shan and the other two remained; Gan Gui could no longer hold back, his face dark as he let out a cold snort.

As the vice-director of an Eighth-Rank Middle-Weida Sect cultivator, where had he ever gone without being treated with respect? How had he ever been spoken to like this?

Especially since the other party was merely a twenty-year-old kid.

"Xu Jingming has astonishing talent and won first place in the Talent Competition—he does have grounds for arrogance."

Director Liu Shan said coolly, "That's why I specifically invited George from the Holy Spirit Martial Arts Pavilion to deal with him."

If Xu Jingming can defeat George, fine.

If he can't, and brings shame upon our Lei Ting Martial Arts Pavilion, then naturally he'll lose the right to be arrogant anymore.

The same goes for Ling Shuang—if she doesn't complete her mission within five days, I have ways to hold her accountable."

As director, as long as he doesn't make a mistake, Su Qingli can't find an excuse to remove him from his position.

Conversely, if Ling Shuang makes a mistake, she too will lose her authority.

And Lei Ting Martial Arts Pavilion is his home turf—dealing with Ling Shuang and Xu Jingming is just a matter of a few words.

If this attempt fails, wait for the next one; if that still doesn't work, do it again and again.

After all, this is his home turf—he has all the time in the world.

But Ling Shuang is different—if she makes no tangible progress,

Within a year at most, Su Qingli will likely abandon her ambition to seize control of Dayangzhou's martial arts pavilions and recall Ling Shuang back to Daxia.

As for Xu Jingming, Liu Shan admitted—he truly has astonishing talent.

Perhaps in no more than five or six years, he'll reach Eighth Rank, his actual combat power surpassing even mine as director.

But no matter how strong his combat power, he can't forcibly seize my position.

Unless Xu Jingming's strength exceeds the rule-makers of Daxia—Director Zhou Yuanwu.

If that day ever comes, I'll gladly hand over my position with both hands.

Of course,

By that point, Xu Jingming could do as he pleased throughout all of Daxia—he wouldn't even care about this tiny branch pavilion of mine.

"Gan Gui is still vice-director; your scolding has surely earned his hatred."

Don't do that again next time—you're creating enemies for no reason."

Outside the Lei Ting Martial Arts Pavilion building, the moonlight was bright, and the streetlights around it illuminated the entire structure in clear clarity.

Xu Jingming walked home toward the villa, beside him Ling Shuang, dressed in the pavilion's uniform, accentuating her slender, graceful figure, spoke softly.

Though her words were dismissive, the corners of her red lips clearly betrayed a satisfied smile from being defended.

"Our arrival already infringed on their interests—whether they hate us or not doesn't matter."

Besides, he's just an A-Rank Eighth-Rank Middle-Weida Sect cultivator anyway.

He's not even worth my attention as an enemy."

Xu Jingming grinned, his tone brimming with confident strength.

Dayangzhou has an enormous number of ferocious beasts; give him a little more time.

Acquiring enough Ability Points to level up and gain combat power stronger than Gan Gui's won't be a problem.

"Just came back from Qingfeng Secret Realm and your tone's already changed? Looks like you had a good haul?"

Ling Shuang asked with a smile on her lovely face.

"Mm."

Xu Jingming nodded and summarized:

"Obtained an SSS-Rank cultivation resource, found a rare Sixth-Rank peak plant life."

Also, my rank successfully advanced from Sixth-Rank Lower to Sixth-Rank Middle."

Upon hearing this, Ling Shuang froze in shock.

Wow, that's quite the haul!

And how did you get that SSS-Rank cultivation resource?

She remembered the highest reward was only SS+ Rank.

"And... you leveled up again?"

The higher an Ability User's rank, the harder it is for others to perceive their level—unless they actively activate their ability and reveal their aura.

Thus, although Ling Shuang sensed Xu Jingming had grown stronger upon his return, she didn't know why.

She'd assumed it was merely a breakthrough in Body Strengthening or Spirit Refinement—but she never expected it was actually an upgrade.

It had been less than two months since Xu Jingming advanced from Fifth-Rank Upper to Sixth-Rank.

"A minor rank every two months—if this continues, you'll become an Eighth-Rank Weida Sect cultivator in under a year."

After taking a deep breath and processing this news, Ling Shuang spoke again:

"I was worried about your match against George from the Holy Spirit Martial Arts Pavilion—but now I see I was overthinking it."

Based on Xu Jingming's combat power shown in the Talent Competition, fighting George would've been extremely difficult.

But now that you've leveled up, it's no longer an issue.

"Still, Eighth-Rank Weida Sect Ability Users aren't as weak as you imagine—even an A-Rank Ability User."

Ling Shuang warned seriously, "Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Ranks—these three tiers of Ability Users.

Once you ascend, you gain a qualitative transformation; crossing ranks to fight becomes far harder.

I estimate you'll need to reach Seventh Rank before you can defeat an A-Rank Eighth-Rank Weida Sect cultivator."

"Is the gap really that big?" Xu Jingming frowned.

After entering the mid-level of sixth stage, he felt his combat power was roughly equivalent to that of a seventh-stage A-rank Master Zongshi.

At this rate, once he reaches the upper level of sixth stage, he should be able to match eighth-stage combat power.

"Don't believe it? Then when we get back—"

"Enter the virtual world yourself and pick an eighth-stage lower-level Master Zongshi as your opponent. Fight one and you'll see."

Xu Jingming's power growth rate was simply too fast.

And along the way, he had almost always fought above his rank; it was normal for him to have a mistaken understanding of an eighth-stage Master Zongshi's strength.

As his teacher, Ling Shuang had to correct Xu Jingming's thinking.

Otherwise, he might suffer serious consequences later!

"Alright, I'll go back and try it later," Xu Jingming nodded.

Having entered the mid-level of sixth stage, he indeed needed to clarify his own limits.

"By the way, what's the Midie Jiao mission Liu Shan just mentioned?"

Is it hard to complete? Do you need me to help?"

Xu Jingming asked.

"I was just about to tell you—this mission does require your cooperation."

Ling Shuang smiled and briefly described the situation of the Midie Jiao and the gathering the day after tomorrow.

"At 9 p. m. tomorrow night, you'll attend the gathering as my husband. Is the timing fine?"

When mentioning the word "husband," Ling Shuang's expression became slightly unnatural.

"It's my honor to pretend to be your teacher's partner—I naturally cannot refuse," Xu Jingming said solemnly.

Yet inwardly, he muttered to himself.

Judging by the Midie Jiao's religious beliefs, this time again, a man and woman must enter as a pair.

Could this gathering be the kind of scene he imagined?

As for Catherine's request for dinner tomorrow night, he'd have to postpone it...